IT’S August Bank Holiday weekend, and that only means one thing for blues fans — The Great British R&B Festival 2011.

The crème-de-la-crème of rhythm and blues music from around the world will descend on Colne for four days of entertainment.

More than 600 musicians will perform at eight official venues for the 22nd annual festival.

With authentic electric blues, rock, jazz and acoustic sets, there is something for every one of the expected thousands of music fans travelling to Lancashire this weekend.

Live updates

Our chief reporter Peter Magill will be out and about in Colne throughout the festival. Read his updates below.

Line-ups

Friday

International Stage

7.30pm: Hamilton Loomis Band
9.15pm: Jack Bruce with the Norman Beaker Band
11pm: Wilko Johnson Band

The British Stage

8pm: Nick Dow’s Blues Roots
8.45pm: Kaseno
9.15pm: Lucy Zirins & Friends
10pm: Tin Pan Alley
11pm: Midnite Johnny

The Acoustic Stage

8pm: Mal Gibson aka Charlie White
9.15pm: Zac Rogers
10.15pm: The Ginjammers
11.30pm: Tom Attah & Franny Evbank

Saturday

International Stage

2pm: Animals & Friends with special guest Steve Cropper
4.15pm: Jolly Jumper & Big Moe
7.30pm: James Hunter
9.15pm: Mavis Staples
11pm: Sherman Robertson

The British Stage

2.30pm The Big Thrill
4.00pm Dr Truth
5.30pm: Joni Fuller Band
7.00pm: Bright Shapes
8pm: Cliff Stocker’s Legendary Slack Alice & Friends
9.30pm: Dale Storr Band
11pmt: Cherry Lee Mewis

The Acoustic Stage

2pm: Jerry Donahue & The Electric Revelators – Performing the songs of Robert Johnson
3.15pm: Joni Fuller
4.30pm: Cherry Lee Mewis
5.45pm: Andy Stone
6.45pm: Baxter Rhodes
7.30pm: Tom Doughty
8.30pm: Fran McGillivery & Mike Burke
9.30pm: Tom Doughty
10.30pm: Lil’ Ian Goodsman

Sunday

International Stage

2pm: Steve Gibbons Band
3.30pm: Gary Fletcher Band featuring Pick Withers
5pm: Dianna Braithwaite, Chris Whiteley & Bob Hall
7.30pm: Giles Robson & The Dirty Aces
9.15pm: Lisa Mills
11pm: Mud Morganfield Band

The British Stage

2.30pm: Bare Bones Boogie Band
4pm: The Revolutionaires
5.30pm: Vicky & The Big Combo
7pm: Deep in the Mire
8pm: Del Bromham’s Blues Devils
9.30pm: The Cats
11pm: The Treatment

The Acoustic Stage

2pm: Graham Robinson & The Junkhouse Dog
3.15pm: Pablo
4.30pm: Del Bromham
5.45pm: Gary Fletcher
6.45pm: Tom & Evie
7.30pm: Steve Gibbons
8.30pm: Lucy Zirins
9.30pm: Hokum Hotshots
10.45pm: Sisters In Grease

Monday

International Stage

2pm: Oli Brown
3.30pm: Larry Miller
5pm Sharrie Williams
7.30pm: Band of Friends (Rory Gallagher Connections)
9.15pm: Robin Trower Band
11pm: Buddy Whittington Band

The British Stage (The Jessica Foxley Stage)

2pm: Alex McKown Band
3.30pm: Trevor Burton Blues Band
5pm: Juall
6pm: Junk House Dog Band
7.30pm: Forty 4
9pm: Tommy Allen Band featuring John Hewitt

The Acoustic Stage

2pm: Tommy Allen & John Hewitt
3.15pm: Jack Blackman
4.30pm: Mike Bowden & John Williamson
5.45pm: Dale Storr & Kim Mayheu
6.45pm: Jayke Cox
7.30pm : Sian Sophia
9pm : Dave Arcari

Since 1990 the Muni has been the main stage for the festival, now one of Europe's biggest blues festivals.

This year’s highlights on the International Stage include Jack Bruce, the Animals and Friends with Steve Cropper, Robin Trower, and the Gary Fletcher Band, featuring Pick Withers – original drummer with Dire Straits.

From the USA there will be James Hunter, Grammy wward winner Mavis Staples, Sherman Robertson, Gospel singer Sharrie Williams and Muddy Waters’ eldest son Mud Morganfield.

Highlights on the British Stage will include Joni Fuller, the Alex McKown Band, Trevor Burton Blues Band and the Tommy Allen and The Cats.

As well as the main stages, pubs in the town will be playing live music throughout the weekend. Roadhouse venues include Colne & Nelson Rugby Club, The Admiral Lord Rodney, The Crown Hotel, The Royal British Legion, The Dressers and the newly refurbished Duke Of Lancaster.

BBC Radio 2 will be recording all weekend with highlights from the festival aired on Paul Jones’ show in the following weeks.

Buskers will play along the main road through Colne throughout the weekend and other fringe events include a fun fair in Pendle Leisure Centre car park and The Food Village, selling a variety of hot and cold food and drinks, in the layby near the Crown Hotel.

• The Great British R&B Festival, Friday, August 26 until Monday, August 29. Full festival tickets; £125.00, Friday: £26, Saturday: £36, Sunday: £36, Monday: £32. Festival Hotline 01282 661234.